China Academy of Art Delegation Visits Leading London Cultural Institutions

A senior delegation from the China Academy of Art (CAA), led by Vice President Professor Cao Xiaoyang, visited London on 14–17 May 2026 to strengthen academic and cultural exchanges with leading British cultural institutions.

The delegation, which also included Professor Wang Chao, Deputy Director of the School of Painting, and Associate Professor Cai Chengzhi, Deputy Head of the Printmaking Department, was accompanied by art historian, Senior Research Fellow of the MET, Anne Farrer.

Their visit began at the British Library on 15 May, where the delegation met Sara Chiesura, Head of Chinese Collections, and Mélodie Doumy, Curator of the Dunhuang Collections, for a special viewing of selected treasures from the Library's Chinese holdings. The group was also welcomed by Luisa Mengoni, Head of Asia and Africa Collections.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the British Museum, where Dr Yu-ping Luk guided the group through selected objects in the Study Room and the museum galleries. The programme continued with a visit to the Brunei Gallery.

On 16 May, the delegation attended the London Original Print Fair at Somerset House, they were welcomed by Haiyao Zheng and David Barker, who hosted the group for informal discussions over coffee.

The visit provided valuable opportunities for dialogue between Chinese and British scholars, curators and arts professionals, and highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing research, cultural understanding and artistic exchange. The China Academy of Art expressed its appreciation to all the individuals and institutions that contributed to the success of the visit.